Appendicitis Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the caecum?
Pouch like structure located in the beginning of the large intestine, where the small intestine (ileum) empties into the colon
How does the caecum play a role in the digestive system?
Absorbing fluids and salts that remain after digestion and mixing the remaining waste with mucus
What does the appendix do?
Produces and transports mucus as part of its role
Appendix help in mucus production. How?
Inner lining of appendix contains goblet cells
Mucus helps to lubricate the contents of the appendix and protect its inner surface
Mucus secreted by goblet cells is transported, where to?
Into the lumen - cavity inside the appendix
What does the mucus aid in moving?
Waste materials and bacteria through the appendix and eventually into the caecum where it enters the large intestine
Appendix has a role in immune function. How?
Maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria by trapping pathogens and facilitating their removal
What is appendicitis?
Inflammation of the appendix and it typically occurs when the appendix becomes blocked which leads to infection
What is the most common cause of the appendix?
Blockage at the opening of the appendix where it connects to the caecum
When there is blockage, what can this lead to?
Fecaliths (hard stool) - hardened stool can obstruct the appendix
Enlarged lymphoid tissue - appendix can swell due to infection (GI and Resp infections) causing obstruction
Foreign objects or parasites - foreign materials or parasites can block the appendix
When there is a bacterial infections, what happens to the appendix?
Bacteria multiply inside it, causing infections.
Leads to swelling, pus formation and increased pressure within the appendix
If an inflamed appendix is not treated, what can happen?
Can lead to a rupture of the appendix
This can cause the infection to spread into the abdomen
This can result in a condition called peritonitis
What is a rare case of appendicitis?
Tumours
What is blocked when the appendix are obstructed?
Mucus outflow - but the body keeps producing it
This then distends the appendix and then bacteria builds up
What is sent to your brain when you have appendicitis?
Visceral nerve fibres is small and thus a generic stimuli of pain is sent to the brain
This can happen when there is pressure on the LRQ
When the pressure builds up during appendicitis, what happens to the appendix and what does it cause?
- Blood flow is affected to the organ
- This causes severe pain, infection, tissue decay and perforation
What is the risk when the appendix perforates?
The contents (bacteria, faecal matter, mucus, pus) spill into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis
The pain for appendicitis progress over how long?
4-6 hours
What age for M and F is it more common in?
11 - 20 = female
21 - 30 = male
What are the tests for Appendicits?
- McBurney’s
- Psoas sign
- Oturator sign
- Rovsing’s sign
What is the location of McBurney’s Point
Located about 1/3 of the way along line from the right anterior superior iliac sign to the umbilicus
What is the procedure for McBurney’s?
Palpates on the point to assess for tenderness or pain
What are the signs of a positive McBurney’s Point Test?
- Severe localised pain is an indication of acute appendicitis
- Rebound tenderness - applies pressure and quickly releases. Increased pain upon releasing the pressure it suggests peritoneal irritation - appendix inflamed or ruptured
What is the Psoas’s sign?
- Tests for inflammation near the right iliopsoas muscle
- This muscle can become irritated when the appendix is inflamed or particularly in cases of retrocecal appendicitis - appendix positioned behind cecum
